“I love summer,” Kathy said with a sigh, and then swatted a mosquito that had landed on her bare leg. I laughed, and waved at one buzzing in front of my face. We had a citronella candle set out, but it seemed to just attract the vampiric bugs. She was right, though, living on the lake was beautiful in the summer. As the sun dipped low, the sky turned orange and pink. The air was warm, with a soft breeze blowing the scent of roses that were planted between both cottages. The sound of splashing and laughter erupted from the beach. “I wish we had a place by the lake. I’d sit out every night and then go swimming before bed. Have you gone skinny-dipping yet?”
I almost choked on my wine. “What? No.” My face turned beet red.
She set her glass on the table and pointed at me. “Ha… yes you have. Come on, I want details.”
One thing I had learned about her since we met was that once she had something on her mind there was no changing the subject. I sighed in defeat. “It was the Sunday after the Memorial Day picnic. I mistakenly told Noah that I had never been, and he bugged me until I agreed. It was dark, we didn’t look at each other, and when we got in, the water was freezing. We didn’t stay long.”
She smiled mischievously, twirling the ends of her shocking red hair. “Did you peek?”
“I didn’t have to, he’s not shy. He stripped in front of me. I turned my head as he took off his boxers.”
“Why?”
“Kathy, do you have to ask?”
She rolled her eyes. “I know, you’re just friends.” She took a sip of wine. “So boxers, huh, I knew it.”
I laughed as Noah and Sam approached.
“What’s so funny?” Sam asked me, taking the chair next to his wife. His hair was wet from his swim, water dripping down his face.
Kathy answered for me. “Oh, just discussing Noah’s boxers.”
“What?” the men asked at the same time, making Kathy and me laugh.
I let her explain as I sat back and watched their banter. I once felt left out when they joked around and bugged one another, but now I was one of them.
Later, while Noah and Kathy were in the kitchen cleaning up the dinner dishes, I stood up to join them. “Abby, could you stay here for a minute?” Sam asked just I was about to step into the kitchen.
I had never been alone with Sam before. It was something I avoided at all costs. It wasn’t just that I was on the run, it was also his profession. Besides the fact that Nick was a cop, I also hadn’t forgotten that I was ignored when I asked for help. The people that were supposed to protect us had looked the other way. And I couldn’t forget that. “Uh…sure.” I sat down next to him, with my hands shaking, and my heart beating faster. I made my best effort to keep my voice strong.
He was quiet, staring at me. His face held a serious expression; his eyes were filled with concern.
While I waited for him to speak, I played back what he had said. My stomach dropped, and panic settled in as I remembered what name he used. “Why did you call me that?” My voice was a whisper.
He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “We both know why.”
I was stunned. “How long have you known?”
“Since a week after I met you.” He glanced around, making sure we were still alone. The radio was on in the house, and we could here Kathy teasing Noah about his underwear. “I saw the missing person’s photo of you at work, but I want you to know, I never told Kathy or Noah.”
“Why?”
“Well, when I first saw it, I almost called the number, but stopped myself so I could get to know you. The information said you were missing, not that you were a criminal. I know you’re a good person so I’m guessing you have a reason you don’t want to be found. I also know that you’ll tell us when you’re ready.” He took a sip of his beer. “You don’t have to be nervous around me. I won’t tell anyone.”
I was so relieved. “Thank you,” I said, standing up. Despite his reassurance, I was still reluctant to be near him.
Screams from the beach had him looking away. When he was satisfied that they were happy screams, he turned back to me. “You are going to tell them eventually, aren’t you?”
I sighed, because really, I hadn’t planned on it. The more people that knew my true identity, the more chances that I would be found. “When I’m ready.”
He stood up holding his now empty beer bottle. “Good, because you mean a lot to both of them.”
After this conversation, and all I had learned about him since we met, the wall I had built toward him started to crumble. “They and you mean a lot to me too.”
After they left, Noah and I lingered outside, gazing at the stars. “The water is warm now,” I heard Noah say.
“It sure is,” I said dreamily, so relaxed I could have fallen asleep sprawled out on the lounge chair.
“I said, the water is warm.” This time his voice was louder, filled with meaning.
I sat up and looked at him. His chest was bare and he was still wearing his red swim trunks. “I heard you.”
He wiggled his eyebrows, looking from the water to me.
Understanding hit me. “No,” I said, stifling a laugh.
“We said when it warmed up.”
“No, you said we’d go when it warmed up, not me. And aren’t you trying to make me do things I’ve never done?” He nodded, a lopsided grin crossing his face. “I have gone skinny-dipping before, haven’t I?”
He frowned, his brow creased in thought, and then the grin returned; his eyes lit up. “You’ve never been in warm water.”
He had me there. “Fine, but same rules. Turn the light off and no peeking.”
“Okay, but we can just go in with our suits and then take them off.”
My suit, which was a black bikini, was still dry. Sam and Noah hadn’t been able to talk Kathy and me into the lake tonight; we were too comfortable with our wine.
I waited until he turned the porch light off and then followed him into the water. It was dark, but the moon was out, creating some light. He walked toward the dock; the water was up to his chest, just below his nipples before he bent down to take off his bathing suit, throwing it onto the dock. I watched him, then took my turn. Once I was naked, I felt so free. I wished I could float, but if I did that, he’d see more than I wanted. “Much better,” I sighed, grabbing hold of the dock and floating far from Noah where he couldn’t see.
“Why are you way over there?”
A speed boat raced passed, and I ducked behind the dock, hoping they wouldn’t notice I was topless. Noah was unfazed, as waves rushed toward us flapping against the dock.
“You know why.”
He swam for a while, his smooth strokes barely making the water ripple. His lower back showed as he swam, and when he took longer strides, the top of his backside was visible. My eyes widened and I turned around, glancing at the two cottages that had changed my life, and made me so happy. Although I knew it wasn’t the houses, but the people they belonged to. The sound of a splash drew my attention back to the man. He was swimming toward me. I was leaning against the dock for support, but now that he was so close, I stood up and ducked down, hiding the girls.
“Aren’t you going to swim?” he asked.
After seeing what happened when he did it? “No, I’m good.”
He grinned, his eyes staring into mine. “I’m really glad you moved here. I’ve had a really good time with you.” He moved closer until his face hovered just above mine. Water dripped off his nose and chin.
I took a step back, feeling uncomfortable with his closeness. He ignored the movement. “I feel the same way. I thought I’d be lonely here, and I was for a while without my family, but now I feel like I have an extended one. It makes me miss them less.”
“Tell me about them.” He tilted his head in interest.
“Well, my father died when I was twelve. We were devastated. He was such a great father and husband. When you were in a room with him he made you feel special. It took us a long time to get over, and I still
don’t think we are.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
“Yes, a sister, she’s two years older. She’s one of my best friends.” I choked on the last word, swallowing the lump in my throat.
Thankfully he didn’t notice. He leaned his arm on the dock for support showing underarm hair. “So it’s just you, your sister, and your mother?”
I nodded. “Well, Brenda married a great guy named Jeff, and they have the sweetest kids in the world, Haley and Justin, who I miss most of all.” I paused for a moment looking up at the sky. “I’m afraid I won’t recognize them when I finally get to see them again.”
“Why can’t you see them?” His voice was soft.
Oops, I hadn’t meant to let that slip. “I just meant, since I live so far away now, I can’t see them as often.”
His lips pursed as if he was fighting the urge to say something. And I was thankful. The old Noah would be questioning me about my slip to find out what was really going on. The new Noah hadn’t mentioned it in months. It just reinforced how much I trusted him.
“It sounds like you were close to them,” he said, instead of what was really on his mind.
I grinned at him, thankful for his discretion. “Not as much lately. Before I left I was a workaholic. Even so, my mother made me take Sundays off to have dinner with the family. It was always loud, filled with laughter. My niece and nephew whined about what they had to eat, and constantly fought with each other. I usually left thankful that I could go home to an empty apartment. But now...” I let my voice trail away as my throat burned. I glanced at Noah and saw his face was full of sadness for me. He leaned in and brushed a tear from my cheek with his thumb. I didn’t even realize I was crying.
“Anna,” he whispered, his face inches from mine. His warm breath heated my cool cheeks, his eyes filled with emotion. He moved closer, as though his lips were drawn to mine. The urge to let him kiss me was strong, but I knew I couldn’t let that happen.
I pulled back. “Well, I think we’ve been in here long enough, don’t you?” I asked, striding through the water toward the beach, my toes sinking into the sand as I moved.
“Anna wait—” he started to protest, but I whirled around holding up my hand.
“Noah, I just told you how much this friendship means to me. I don’t want to ruin it.”
He thought for a moment, and nodded. His lips that had been so close to touching mine were tight. “Fine, you’re right, lets get out of here before I wreck what we have.”
Relief washed over me as I stepped onto the dock to get dressed, no longer concerned if he saw me. I just wanted to get home and away from this uncomfortable situation.
Chapter Thirty
A Night Out
One Friday night in early September, I was finishing a chapter of my book when I heard a knock at the door. I opened it and saw Noah standing in the doorway. He was wearing faded jeans and a light brown work jacket. His pale blond hair was askew, falling into his eyes. His lips were parted, and tilted upward into a smirk.
“Wow, what’s with you, you actually knocked?” I couldn’t keep the surprise out of my voice. Ever since we became friends, despite my protests, he always let himself in with his key.
“I was in a good mood. Come with me.” He took my hand; his callused fingers gripped mine tightly, giving me no choice but to do what he said as he led me out the door. The door clicked shut behind us. The crisp air swirled around us as he dragged me outside and beyond his house.
He pulled me to his shop, and in through the big double-boarded doors. I had never been in here before. It was his work place and if he had wanted me in here, he’d have invited me.
It was huge, of course, having been a barn at one time. Instead of the cement floors being covered in hay, and rooms separated with stalls at the end like Wade’s barn, this room was one massive open structure. The oversized walls were covered in shelves, which were filled with finished cabinets and supplies. Different sizes of machines cluttered the center of the room, all focused around a large table saw. On the center wall housed a long workbench. In the back corner under a window was a small desk, holding a computer and phone. Although the barn had been lacking of animals and hay for some time, the pungent smell of animal still hovered in the air.
Noah led me past all the machines to an area that was filled with cabinets. In the center was the kitchen island. It was beautiful, made of oak. The design around the edges was amazing. Hundreds of tiny roses and vines twisted their way up the wood. It was so detailed it must have taken forever to carve.
The countertop was a gray marble that was so shiny I could almost see my reflection. Scattered on the floor beyond it were the matching cupboards with the same rose design. The smell of varnish almost overpowered the smell of animal, but not quite.
I turned to Noah, who was standing beside me quietly, letting me take everything in. “Noah, it’s beautiful. The design on the doors is so intricate, it must have taken forever.” I touched a rose; the wood was so smooth, the petals carved perfectly. My finger brushed a leaf next to it and ran over the veins. I couldn’t believe he did this, it was so detailed. He really was an artist.
“It felt like it, but I’m happy with the way it came out. It took me months, now I’m finally done. And I wanted to show you my work.” His eyes were shining with pride as he watched me.
I wandered around the shop, stopping at different pieces that were scattered on shelves. There were all different sizes of cupboards with a variety of designs on each one. I leaned down to get a closer look at one that caught my attention. The center of the doors had been carved with the images of deer, bear, and I think a moose. The edges were bordered with a leaf pattern. I spun around to gape at him, shocked by his ability. I was sure he was a good carpenter—the cottage was evidence of that—but I had no idea he had this kind of talent. “These are amazing. You take pride in your work and it shows.” My voice held the awe that I felt.
He smiled shyly, something I didn’t think was possible. There wasn’t a shy bone in his body. “Thank you.” He glanced down at his worn work boots, obviously uncomfortable with my praise. He dug at a crack in the cement floor. Suddenly, he looked up at me and grinned. “Since I am finally finished, let’s celebrate. I’m taking you out.”
“Where?” I leaned my back against his workbench, a tiny bit of apprehension lurking in my veins. It was one thing to hang out around here or at Kathy’s, it was something else entirely to go out. There were more chances of me being recognized and I feared he would think of this as a date. I pushed that thought away; he hadn’t hinted of anything more since that night in the water when we went skinny-dipping and had decided that nothing was worth ruining our friendship.
His hands were shoved in the pocket of his jeans, as he took a step closer, closing a cupboard door that was left open on the island. “We’re going to dinner at my favorite restaurant in Martin, and a hockey game afterward.”
My face scrunched up in disgust. “Um, a hockey game sounds kind of boring.”
“Have you been to one?” He cocked a brow, his eyes searching.
“No, but hockey doesn’t interest me.”
“Remember, I’m making you do things you don’t normally do. So go change, I’ll be by to pick you up in half an hour.” I stared at him, unsure if it was worth the fight. I didn’t want to go for obvious reasons, but he looked so excited, I didn’t have the heart to disappoint him. He gently pushed me out of the door, ordering me to get ready. Despite the slight drop in temperature, I was wearing a pale blue tank top under a green hoodie, and instead of pants I was wearing jogging shorts. When I work, I go for comfort.
“Fine,” I grumbled, stepping through the door, knowing that it was impossible to argue with him.
He took me to a restaurant called Stripes. I had changed out of the shorts and was wearing my stretchy black jeans and a long plum blouse. It was cool, so I was thankful that I thought to bring a thick black coat. The restaurant was noisy and seeme
d more of a sports bar. Everyone there appeared to be going to the game. Hockey jerseys as far as the eye could see; even Noah was wearing one. I felt a little left out.
It was the Cougars against the Martin Mallards. We sat at the bar, between a bunch of noisy guys wearing blue and yellow; the colors of the Mallards. I ate my burger listening to Noah and the guys arguing about who made the team, the defense players or the forwards. “So how long have you two been an item?” a man named Ed asked. He was sitting across from us with a plateful of fries and a frosty mug of beer in front of him.
Noah smiled over his own beer. “About four months.”
Surprised by his words, I kicked him. “Actually, we’re not dating. We’re just friends.”
Ed’s forehead creased, causing the dark patch of hair on his head to fall forward. He was a big burly man, with dark brown eyes and a goatee. “Really? Are you sure, because I’m sensing a vibe between the two of you?” Which sounded humorous coming from a guy as manly looking as he was. The hockey jersey he was wearing only added to the look.
Noah wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “She’s only kidding, she’s mad about me.”
Ed smiled. “That’s what I thought.”
I spun around in my stool, sneering at Noah, who raised his beer in the air giving me a wink. Sometimes he was really aggravating.
The drive to the arena was interesting. I was behind the wheel, and I didn’t have a clue where I was going. Noah was a little tipsy so his directions were somewhat confusing.
It felt like hours, but we finally pulled into the full lot and squeezed through the crowd to our seats. We were about halfway up in the bleachers, so we had a pretty good view. The arena was crowded and noisy. Music was blaring, people were shouting, popcorn and beer was been sold by peddlers coming to people at their seats. I had to admit that it was very exciting.
Finding Abigail Page 21